The saxophone is a member of the woodwind family even though it is made almost entirely of metal. The sound is produced by a vibrating single reed which is the same sound producing method as a clarinet. The clarinet and saxophone are similar in many ways. Many beginning students may not have a willingness to pay the higher price of a saxophone. Others may not have hands large enough to fit around the saxophone keys. Those students may start with a clarinet and switch to the saxophone at a later date.
All saxophones are very similar but will vary in size and range of notes. The tenor saxophone will be the same to play as the alto saxophone but is a little bit larger and plays a little bit lower and not as high.
The baritone saxophone will be even larger than the tenor saxophone and play much lower.
Listen to a Saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, is the most common type of saxophone. The tenor is pitched in the key of B♭, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble clef, sounding a major ninth lower than the written pitch. It sounds deeper than the alto sax. The tenor saxophone uses a slightly larger mouthpiece, reed, and ligature than the alto saxophone, and is easily distinguished from that instrument by the crook or bend in it's neck just ahead of the mouthpiece.
The tenor saxophone is used in many different types of ensembles, including concert bands, big band jazz ensembles, small jazz ensembles, and marching bands. It is occasionally included in pieces written for symphony orchestra and for chamber ensembles; three examples of this are Ravel's Boléro, Prokofiev's suite from Lieutenant Kijé,and Webern's Quartet for violin, clarinet, tenor saxophone, and piano. In concert bands, the tenor plays mostly a supporting role, sometimes sharing parts with the euphonium, horn and trombone. In jazz ensembles, the tenor plays a more prominent role, often sharing parts or harmonies with the alto saxophone.
Tenor Saxophone
The saxophone is a member of the woodwind family even though it is made almost entirely of metal. The sound is produced by a vibrating single reed which is the same sound producing method as a clarinet. The clarinet and saxophone are similar in many ways. Many beginning students may not have a willingness to pay the higher price of a saxophone. Others may not have hands large enough to fit around the saxophone keys. Those students may start with a clarinet and switch to the saxophone at a later date.
All saxophones are very similar but will vary in size and range of notes. The tenor saxophone will be the same to play as the alto saxophone but is a little bit larger and plays a little bit lower and not as high.
The baritone saxophone will be even larger than the tenor saxophone and play much lower.
Listen to a Saxophone
The tenor saxophone is used in many different types of ensembles, including concert bands, big band jazz ensembles, small jazz ensembles, and marching bands. It is occasionally included in pieces written for symphony orchestra and for chamber ensembles; three examples of this are Ravel's Boléro, Prokofiev's suite from Lieutenant Kijé,and Webern's Quartet for violin, clarinet, tenor saxophone, and piano. In concert bands, the tenor plays mostly a supporting role, sometimes sharing parts with the euphonium, horn and trombone. In jazz ensembles, the tenor plays a more prominent role, often sharing parts or harmonies with the alto saxophone.
Videos and Tips
Fingering ChartGuide to the Saxophone - Tenor Sax
The notes of the scale on the tenor sax along with breathing and fingering technique!
Hear and Play Saxophone: Tongue and Mouth Positioning
For further tips on the tenor saxophone, please refer to the alto saxophone page